Exploring forward-thinking technology perspectives of sustainable development for the year 2030 in the identity of engineering students
Fernández López, Manuel and
(2022)
Exploring forward-thinking technology perspectives of sustainable development for the year 2030 in the identity of engineering students.
Global Journal of Engineering Education, 24
(1).
pp. 14-20.
This study focuses on the identity of engineering students, to explore their future perspectives and the presence of a vision of technology in the transition to sustainable development. Students from universities in Norway and Spain were encouraged to situate themselves in 2030 as engineers. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were integrated in the collection of data. Possible selves were identified and analysis conducted on the self-descriptions of participants in the present and in 2030 from a technological development perspective. Participants’ views about
the likely occurrence of the key vision based on social scenarios were also explored. The sample was formed by two groups of engineering students in Spain (30 at the University of Barcelona) and Norway (27 at the University of Tromsø). The results indicate an identity with room for further integration of a transition vision, beyond today’s unsustainable model of economic development, consumption and technological development. Finally, areas for further enquiry are proposed in the context of a long-term vision for technology-based sustainable development in the engineer of tomorrow.